아르낙 쉬르 도르두 최고의 라이딩 경로

Characteristic suspension bridge over the Orb

This tiny and peaceful village, with a worldwide reputation for the benefits of its water, is a perfect location for hikers and gravel enthusiasts. You have many options of loops from there. Enjoy!

The bucolic charm of the places and the banks of the Orb is striking. The economy of Avène has always been based on significant mining activity that began under Roman rule and continued until 1954, when the Rabasse mines closed. Created in 1962 for hydroelectric production and regulation of the Orb, the Lac des Monts d'Orb (or Lac d'Avène) is 6 kilometres long and covers an area of 190 hectares. An old lead and silver mine is now submerged under the lake: the mines and their exploitation were a source of wealth for the Orb valley, from Antiquity until the 1950s. Today, it is above all nature that provides Avène with one of its benefits: water from the depths of the Languedoc earth. This water that has been shaping a destiny for two and a half centuries, a vocation inspired by Thermalism. It is impossible not to go to the Thermal Baths, a stone's throw south of the village (the markings of the Sentier des 2 Lacs allow you to reach the site on foot, and the connection is pretty!). The Thermal Baths site is peaceful, relaxing... like the range of well-being and beauty products from the Avène brand. Beyond the thermal area, there is a magnificent hotel and an excellent restaurant! The establishment is committed to a truly eco-responsible approach: use of local products, innovative and energy-efficient architectural and technical choices...

The Col du Layrac is a great exit objective. Whether for its ascent via wooded roads and trails or its clear summit which offers a lovely panorama of the surrounding massifs.

Nice view from the hill

The Col de Fontfroide is more demanding on the second part, as for the tour of the Lac de la Salvetat, no major difficulty, some small bumps in the ass, but in a breathtaking setting as the lake offers such a lovely spectacle under the sun. Bring something to hydrate because in hot weather, the temperature can quickly rise, but the lake is not far away to cool off.

This departmental road crosses the village of Serviès, located in the eponymous valley. It also criss-crosses the Monts d’Orb national forest between Avène and the Col de Layrac, which marks the transition between the departments of Hérault and Aveyron. Very wooded, this road is a breath of fresh air on very hot days. The surface is generally in good condition, and the ascent to the pass as well as the descent to Avène are very pleasant. If you wish to stop there, two lodges are located in the valley: the Cartayade lodge on the south side, and the relay of Marie-Claude and Jacky Theron a little further north. These are two welcoming places with a lot of charm, and you will be well fed and housed there as well as advised on your adventures. It is obviously possible (and encouraged!) to take a hike around the gîtes to discover the surrounding area.

Its creams and treatments with such recognizable packaging are a must in French pharmacies and for some of us, have the scent of vacation. If its thermal cures are world famous, the city itself is much less so. Made up of no less than 14 hamlets or farms, it has only 400 permanent residents. Enjoying a dual Mediterranean and oceanic climate, it is located in the exceptional Natural Regional Park of Haut-Languedoc, and more precisely in the landscape unit of the small causses of the upper Orb valley and Lake Avène . The Monts d'Orb occupy a significant space and offer preserved nature where the forest, by turns mountainous and Mediterranean, stands out. This landscape unit is also characterized by a mid-mountain type landscape, which presents a strong contrast with the atmosphere of the Hérault coastline. Clearly, this department is full of wonderful surprises! This unique location makes Avène the ideal starting point for numerous hikes, both on foot and by bike. Don’t hesitate to go boating or paddleboarding on the artificial lake of Avène, if the water level allows it.